Israeli-controlled shipping firm says tanker hit by projectile off Oman

Israeli-controlled shipping firm says tanker hit by projectile off Oman

A tanker was hit off the coast of Oman on Tuesday, sustaining minor damage to the hull with no injuries or spillage of the gas oil cargo, Israeli-controlled Eastern Pacific Shipping said on Wednesday and an Israeli official said Iran was responsible.

Three maritime sources told Reuters that a drone was suspected to have attacked the tanker. An Israeli official said Iran was responsible for the attack, using a Shahed-136 drone, the type it has been supplying to Russia for use in Ukraine.

Iran's Nournews, which is affiliated with the country's top security body, blamed Israel for the attack, accusing it of a distraction ahead of soccer's World Cup that starts in Qatar on Sunday.

Eastern Pacific Shipping, which manages the vessel, said it was investigating the incident involving the Pacific Zircon tanker approximately 150 miles off Oman. All crew were safe and accounted for, it said.

"Preliminary reports indicate the vessel...was hit by a projectile," said the Singapore-based firm, which is controlled by Israeli billionaire Idan Ofer.

"There is some minor damage to the vessel's hull but no spillage of cargo or water ingress."

Gulf waters have in recent years seen attacks on tankers that have come at times of heightened regional tensions with Iran.